<p>Hey everyone! I want to major in Econ (or maybe finance) but I cant decide between these two schools. Can anyone help me out if you have information? THANKS!!!</p>
<li><p>How does UTs Econ compare with UMichs, in terms of quality of course and competitiveness of students maybe?
I know that UT has huge class size (although UMich also has large class size but I think UT is worse), but people say situation improves after year 1. But Im still worried about the limited interactions with professors.</p></li>
<li><p>It seems that econ is a pretty good major to take in the States. Many say with an econ undergrad degree you can find a pretty good job. However, this doesnt seem to be ture in Canada. I was told that its very hard for an econ major to find internships and jobs in Canada, even if I go to top school like U of T. Is it really that bad in Canada? How about in the States?</p></li>
<li><p>Is it hard to apply for U.S graduate school if I study in UT (and have a good GPA)? </p></li>
<li><p>If I get an undergrad Econ degree from UT and decide to look for jobs in the States after I graduate, how will employers think of my degree compared to those obtained in the States? i.e. will the employers think that a U.S university Econ degree is better?</p></li>
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<p>In terms of ECON ranking, UMich is definitely ranked higher than UT. However, UT has a much cheaper tuition fees (Im an international student). So I am wondering is it really worth the money to go to UMich? I really dont want to put too much burden on my parents. After all, UT is the top school in Canada and has very good reputation. But Im still very confused
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<p>THANKS A LOT!!!</p>
<p>If you cannot afford to go to Michigan, go to UT. It’s an excellent school.</p>
<p>I hear econ majors say grumpy things about the size of econ classes at Michigan, so I wouldn’t downgrade UT too far for that aspect.</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, we would LOVE to have you at U-M! But make your decision on other factors, not class size.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about your subject area but have you visited both campuses? Living in downtown Toronto is a radically different experience than in a comparatively small and quieter (though vibrant) environment of Ann Arbor. U of T is on the doorstep of every major fortune 1000 company and multinational in Canada. While that doesn’t mean that there are MORE opportunities for internship (Canada has 1/10th the population of the US), it does mean that if you’re the type to make things happen for yourself there is ample access in close proximity with comparatively smoother immigration and work permit opportunities. My own s. is going to U of M and loves it. But as diverse as U of M is and as lovely, if you’re fond of a highly diverse community with big city amenities, Toronto is hard to beat (I went to school in Toronto and lived there for several years thereafter.) Toronto is also larger and more economically diversified than Detroit, the closest metro to AA. Another consideration is what is your current Visa status and do you have a high likelihood of qualifying for a U.S. Greencard at some future point? Would you prefer to work and live in the U.S. or Canada after school? If you become a citizen in Canada, there is more of a social safety net. However, those inclined to do well financially tend to do better in the U.S. (lower income tax, although it equals fewer services, decaying infrastructure, a terrible medical system and virtually no social safety net…which is fine if you’re ALWAYS doing well…: ) … And not fine if you don’t happen to believe “to the victor go the spoils…”</p>
<p>Those are just some things to consider. U of M is awesome and a lovely place. If setting is important to you, make sure you experience both. The Canadian university system is cheaper in part because it relies heavily on government funding. This can make for tired infrastructure and crowded facilities at times. Don’t get me wrong; I feel my education was every bit as thorough in Canada (if not moreso on the k12 level, at least in urban areas). But you will want to consider those factors as well if they’re important to you. Please visit and see : )
Cheers,
K</p>
<p>If you want to work in the states, then choose Michigan. UT has one of the top Econ departments in the world, but U-Michigan would have a better campus life.</p>
<p>Both are just as competitive as well.</p>
<p>If you are planning on getting into grad school or working in the US then Michigan will be better.</p>
<p>Is it really hard to get a job in US after I graduate from UT? I have no intention to migrate to US though… Just wanna gain a couple of years’ experience there</p>
<p>hey K! thanks a lot for such a detailed answer :)</p>
<p>Unfortunately I can’t go to US or Canada to visit both schools 
That’s also why I’m so worried because information I can find online is very limited. </p>
<p>I have no intentions to migrate to US though… Just wanna go there and have some work experience. Is it hard to find a job in US after I graduate from UT? I’m not very sure about all the visa things though. Just wondering whether US employers will value an undergrad ECON major from a US school more. </p>
<p>Do you know whether it’s easy to apply for grad school in the States if I go to UT?</p>
<p>Seems that this is the opinion of most people. That’s really bad news to hear… Going to UMich will mean much higher tuition fees…</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply :)</p>
<p>But can anyone provide more hard facts or numbers please???</p>
<p>I live near Ann Arbor, and have a degree from Toronto. I’d go to Toronto. Intellectual atmosphere at both is about the same…both quite serious about their studies, but don’t mind having a good time.</p>
<p>Both offer huge amounts of off-campus activities, with Toronto’s being better because there are more of them, and they can be easily reached via the city’s amazing mass-transit system.</p>
<p>Michigan does have a wonderful sports scene, but the cornerstone of this is their football program, which is currently terrible.</p>
<p>Toronto’s weather is a tad harsher in the winter, but that’s counterbalanced by the fact that its campus is marvelously compact, and the mass transit is great.</p>
<p>The state of Michigan is in panic mode, economically. It’s only a matter of time until the U of M feels the pressure to cut back on spending.</p>
<p>If you like the occasional beer, drinking age in Michigan is 21, in Ontario it’s 19.</p>
<p>Neither school is going to win any awards for beauty…but they do include a fascinating mixture of architectural styles.</p>
<p>I think the biggest misconception stated in this thread is that going to Toronto will somehow hurt your chances on getting into an American grad school. That’s just hogwash. Toronto is very highly regarded among American academics, and grad departments love to have people from the top university in any prominent country (as opposed to just another American from an admittedly very very good unversity), especially if they know there is not going to be a language barrier.</p>
<p>Michigan would be more well-known by U.S. employers, but if you’re going to got to grad school anyway, the grad school would be more important than your undergrad school.</p>
<p>I’d go to Michigan</p>
<p>The campus in Ann Arbor is much more attractive than Toronto imo.</p>
<p>Schmaltz, financially, Michigan is better off than Toronto. Much better off in fact. Actually, they aren’t even comprable. Michigan’s endowment is almost 4 times larger (and UT has 60,000 students compared to Michigan’s 40,000 students) and students pay a lot more money to attend Michigan than UT. </p>
<p>In terms of class size, Econ majors will always be faced with large classes at both Michigan and Toronto. There is no exception. Anybody who claims that they have small econ classes at a major research universities is lying. The typical intro-level Econ class at any major Econ program will have more than 150 students. Popular intermediate level classes (such as Econometrics, Financial economics etc…) will still generally have 75-150 students at most programs. </p>
<p>In terms of quality, Toronto is every bit Michigan’s equal. So if your concern is about graduate school placement, don’t worry. Any academic will know and respect Toronto. If finances are a concern and Toronto is cheaper, go for it. If money is not an issue, go for fit. As many have already said, Michigan has a more cohesive and lively campus, but Toronto is a larger and more “happening” city than Ann Arbor. The only advantage Michigan has over Toronto is if you want to work in the US after graduation.</p>
<p>Alexandre, you would know more about endowment than I would (ah, you know what I mean). All I’m saying is that I live in Michigan, and the U of M is a public school, and the whole state is going down the tubes day by day…just when you think it can’t get any worse, another 1500 people are laid off by some big company, and there’s no end in sight. Like I said, it MIGHT be only a matter of time until the belt tightening extends to the U of M. Im glad you agree that the two schools are comparable academically…and if one is significantly cheaper, that’s a pretty good tie-breaker. It’s definitely NOT, repeat NOT the case that people are walking around the U of Toronto with their heads down, muttering “Wow, I wish I could have gotten into a GOOD school like the U of Michigan.”</p>
<p>@Schmaltz: U Michigan gets very little of their money from the state, which is partly because they charge OOS students very high tuition and still get lots of them.</p>
<p>I’m a-guessin’ the high out-of-state tuition is an EFFECT of the low state money, not a CAUSE… </p>
<p>All’s I’m sayin’ is if Granholm turns Crisler Arena into a homeless shelter, don’t say I didn’t warn you.</p>
<p>Schmaltz, Michigan manages to keep its dependence on state funding and endowment to a minimum (15% and 6% of total annual operating budget respectively). Roughly 80% of the University’s operating budget is generated by inpendent means (tuition, university hospital etc…). Trust me, as it stands, private universities, many of which rely heavily on their endowments (up to 25% in some cases) are in worse shape than many public universities, many of which have cut down on expenses in recent years by adopting leaner and more cost-effective operating systems.</p>